Massage School Curriculum

This is the Curriculum created by the Entry Level Analysis Project that has determined that 625 hours of edcuation are required to prepare a massage school student for entry level positions in the massage therapy profession. The number of hours has been computed based on the competencies required to learn the skills and knowledge required to give massage safely and professionally.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction to the Entry-Level Massage Education Blueprint
    Terminology
    Instructional Design Basics
    The ELAP Learning Taxonomy
    Learning Objectives and Outcomes
    Learning Experiences
    Abilities in Massage Education
    The ELAP Blueprint Structure
  2. Summary of Learning Outcomes
  3. Subject: Massage Theory and Principles (27.0)
    Topic: Evolution of Massage and Bodywork (1.5)
    Sub-Topic: Historical Roots of Massage
    Sub-Topic: Massage and Bodywork Today
    Topic: Research Literacy (3.0)
    Sub-Topic: Evidence-Informed Practice
    Sub-Topic: Basics of Research
    Topic: Massage Benefits and Effects (7.0)
    Sub-Topic: Types of Benefits and Effects
    Sub-Topic: Physiological Benefits and Effects
    Sub-Topic: Psychological and Other Benefits and Effects
    Sub-Topic: Massage Indications
    Topic: Massage Cautions and Contraindications (15.5)
    Sub-Topic: Endangerment Areas
    Sub-Topic: Contraindications
    Sub-Topic: Medications and Massage
    Sub-Topic: American Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
    Subject: Massage Professional Practices (20.0)
    Topic: Massage Equipment and Environment (2.5)
    Sub-Topic: Equipment and Supplies
    Sub-Topic: Session Environments
    Topic: Preventing Disease Transmission (5.5)
    Sub-Topic: Understanding Disease
    Sub-Topic: Therapist Hygiene
    Sub-Topic: Infection Control
    Sub-Topic: Standard Precautions
    Topic: Laws and Regulations (4.0)
    Sub-Topic: Obtaining and Maintaining Credentials
    Sub-Topic: Adhering to Laws and Regulations
    Sub-Topic: Supervision of Therapists
    Topic: Personal Health, Body Mechanics, and Self-Care (8.0)
    Sub-Topic: Personal Health and Self-Care
    Sub-Topic: Body Mechanics Principles
    Sub-Topic: Preventing Work-Related Injury
  1. Subject: The Therapeutic Relationship (40.0)
    Topic: The Relationship of Therapist and Client (4.0)
    Sub-Topic: Characteristics of Positive Therapeutic Relationships
    Sub-Topic: Preventing Transference and Countertransference
    Topic: Ethics and the Therapeutic Relationship (18.0)
    Sub-Topic: Ethical Principles
    Sub-Topic: Code of Ethics and Standards of Ethical Practice
    Topic: Boundaries in the Therapeutic Relationship (18.0)
    Sub-Topic: Establishing and Maintaining Professional Boundaries
    Sub-Topic: Managing Emotions in a Therapeutic Relationship
    Sub-Topic: Managing Intimacy, Touch, and Sexual Arousal Responses
  2. Subject: Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology (80.0)
    Topic: Orientation to the Human Body (13.0)
    Sub-Topic: Using Anatomic and Health Care Terminology
    Sub-Topic: Chemistry, Organization, and Organ Systems
    Sub-Topic: Structure and Function of Cells
    Sub-Topic: Structure and Function of Tissues and Membranes
    Sub-Topic: An Overview of Health and Disease
    Topic: The Integumentary System (5.0)
    Sub-Topic: The Structure and Function of the Integumentary System
    Sub-Topic: Pathologies of the Integumentary System
    Topic: The Skeletal System (10.0)
    Sub-Topic: The Skeleton and Bones
    Sub-Topic: Joints
    Sub-Topic: Pathologies of the Skeletal System
    Topic: The Fascial System (6.0)
    Sub-Topic: The Structure and Function of the Fascial System
    Sub-Topic: Fascial Dysfunctions
    Topic: The Muscular System (13.0)
    Sub-Topic: The Structure and Function of the Muscular System
    Sub-Topic: Muscle Contractions
    Sub-Topic: Pathologies of the Muscular System
    Topic: The Nervous System (16.0)
    Sub-Topic: The Structure and Function of the Nervous System
    Sub-Topic: The Peripheral Nervous System
    Sub-Topic: The Central Nervous System
    Sub-Topic: The Anatomy of Pain
    Sub-Topic: Pathologies of the Nervous System
    Topic: The Cardiovascular System (4.0)
    Sub-Topic: The Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular System
    Sub-Topic: Pathologies of the Cardiovascular System
    Topic: Other Body Systems (13.0)
    Sub-Topic: The Lymphatic System
    Sub-Topic: The Immune System
    Sub-Topic: The Digestive System
    Sub-Topic: The Respiratory System
    Sub-Topic: The Endocrine System
    Sub-Topic: The Reproductive System
    Sub-Topic: The Urinary System
  1. Subject: Assessment and Documentation (50.0)
    Topic: Client Assessment (43.5)
    Sub-Topic: Overview of Assessment in Massage and Bodywork
    Sub-Topic: Health Forms and Client Interviews
    Sub-Topic: General Observation and Client Level of Health
    Sub-Topic: Palpation Assessment
    Sub-Topic: Posture Assessment
    Sub-Topic: Range of Motion Assessment
    Sub-Topic: Pain Assessment
    Sub-Topic: Functional Limitations Assessment
    Topic: Documentation and Client Files (6.5)
    Sub-Topic: Key Principles of Documentation and Keeping Good Client files
    Sub-Topic: SOAP Charting and Other Documentation Formats
  2. Subject: Massage and Bodywork Application (175.0)
    Topic: Foundation Principles and Skills (13.0)
    Sub-Topic: Overview of Massage and Bodywork Forms and Styles
    Sub-Topic: Positioning Clients for Comfort and Safety
    Sub-Topic: Draping Methods
    Topic: Application Methods (82.0)
    Sub-Topic: Core Concepts in Massage and Bodywork Application
    Sub-Topic: Forces and Soft-Tissue Deformation
    Sub-Topic: Gliding Methods
    Sub-Topic: Torsion Methods
    Sub-Topic: Shearing Methods
    Sub-Topic: Elongation Methods
    Sub-Topic: Oscillating Methods
    Sub-Topic: Percussive Methods
    Sub-Topic: Static Methods
    Sub-Topic: Joint Movement Methods
    Sub-Topic: Hot and Cold Methods
    Topic: The Massage or Bodywork Session (30.0)
    Sub-Topic: Overview of the Events in a Massage or Bodywork Session
    Sub-Topic: Integrating Methods into a Form and Session Plan
    Sub-Topic: Customization of the Session to Meet Client Wants and Needs
    Sub-Topic: Suggesting Client Self-Care
    Note: Schools can choose to integrate application methods using a Western or Eastern
    approach or an approach based on their philosophy of massage or bodywork (50 hours
    total). The ELAP Work Group recommends Swedish massage, myofascial approaches,
    and neuromuscular approaches because profession stakeholder survey results indicate
    that these forms are those most widely practiced and valued by professional massage
    therapists. Swedish massage and “deep tissue” (which incorporates methods from
    myofascial and neuromuscular approaches) are the forms most widely requested by
    consumers.
    Sample Forms: 50 hours total
    Topic: Sample Form: Western Integration of Application Methods
    Sub-Topic: Swedish Massage
    Sub-Topic: Myofascial Approaches
    Sub-Topic: Neuromuscular Approaches
    Topic: Sample Form: Eastern Integration of Application Methods
    Sub-Topic: Basic Concepts of Traditional Chinese/Japanese Medicine
    Sub-Topic: Shiatsu
    Sub-Topic: Tuina
    Sub-Topic: Thai Massage
  3. Subject: Palpation and Movement (71.0)
    Topic: Orientation to Palpation and Movement (4.0)
    Sub-Topic: Developing Palpation Skills
    Sub-Topic: Basics of Human Movement
    Topic: The Shoulder and Arm (9.5)
    Sub-Topic: Bones and Bony Landmarks
    Sub-Topic: Joints, Ligaments, and Range of Motion
    Sub-Topic: Muscles and their Actions
    Topic: The Elbow, Forearm, Wrist, and Hand (9.5)
    Sub-Topic: Bones and Bony Landmarks
    Sub-Topic: Joints, Ligaments, and Range of Motion
    Sub-Topic: Muscles and their Actions
    Topic: The Spine and Thorax (9.5)
    Sub-Topic: Bones and Bony Landmarks
    Sub-Topic: Joints, Ligaments, and Range of Motion
    Sub-Topic: Muscles and their Actions
    Topic: The Head, Neck, and Jaw (9.5)
    Sub-Topic: Bones and Bony Landmarks
    Sub-Topic: Joints, Ligaments, and Range of Motion
    Sub-Topic: Muscles and their Actions
    Topic: The Pelvis and Hip (9.5)
    Sub-Topic: Bones and Bony Landmarks
    Sub-Topic: Joints, Ligaments, and Range of Motion
    Sub-Topic: Muscles and their Actions
    Topic: The Thigh and Knee (9.5)
    Sub-Topic: Bones and Bony Landmarks
    Sub-Topic: Joints, Ligaments, and Range of Motion
    Sub-Topic: Muscles and their Actions
    Topic: The Leg, Ankle, and Foot (9.5)
    Sub-Topic: Bones and Bony Landmarks
    Sub-Topic: Joints, Ligaments, and Range of Motion
    Sub-Topic: Muscles and their Actions
  4. Subject: Adapting Sessions for Clients (80.0)
    Topic: Adapting Sessions for the Stages of Healing (11.0)
    Sub-Topic: An Overview of the Inflammatory Response and Healing Cycle
    Sub-Topic: The Acute Stage of Healing
    Sub-Topic: The Subacute Stage of Healing
    Sub-Topic: The Maturation Stage of Healing
    Topic: Adapting Sessions for Clients with Common Pathologies (40.0)
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Arthritis
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Bursitis
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Cancer
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Diabetes
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Fasciitis
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Fibromyalgia
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Headaches
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Nerve Compression Syndromes
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Osteoporosis
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Skin Cancer
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Sprains
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Stress
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Strains
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Tendinopathies
    Topic: Adapting Sessions for Special Populations (29.0)
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients Who Are Over 55
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients Who Are Obese
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients Who Are Children
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients Who Are Pregnant
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients Who Are Athletes or Fitness Oriented
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients Who Are at the End of Life
    Sub-Topic: Sessions for Clients with Disabilities
  5. .Subject: Career Development (82.0)
    Topic: Interpersonal Skills (7.0)
    Sub-Topic: Communication
    Sub-Topic: Conflict Resolution
    Topic: Student Clinic (50.0)
    Sub-Topic: Professionalism
    Sub-Topic: Session Management
    Sub-Topic: Clinic Management
    Sub-Topic: Sessions with Clients
    Topic: Career Planning (25.0)
    Sub-Topic: Envisioning a Massage and Bodywork Career
    Sub-Topic: Employment
    Sub-Topic: Private Practice
    Massage Learning in the Affective Domain
    Topic: Value Learning
    Topic: Value Clients
    Topic: Value Oneself
    Topic: Value Other Professionals
    Topic: Value the Profession
  6. Massage Learning in the Interpersonal Domain